Deaths

Published on February 20, 2009

Amanda Slocombe

SOUTH DEERFIELD - Amanda Patricia Ferro Slocombe, a resident of South Deerfield, died Thursday, Feb. 5. Amanda was born on Aug. 21, 1967, in San Jose, Calif.

Before moving with her family to Pelham in 1978, she spent childhood years in Riverside, Calif., Pullman, Wash., and Lincoln, New Zealand. She attended schools in Pelham and Amherst, graduating from Amherst Pelham Regional High School in 1986. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and her RN in Nursing Science from UMass Amherst.

She worked most recently as a school nurse at Hopkins Academy in Hadley. She was nearing completion of her Master's of Education through the University of Phoenix and had begun her student teaching in biology at Mohawk Trail Regional High School, Buckland.

She is survived by her husband, Neal Slocombe, and their children, Samuel, Maxwell and Meghan-Grace, all of South Deerfield. She also leaves her brother, Stephen Ferro of South Deerfield and her brother, Richard Ferro and his wife Hillary Wilbur-Ferro of Shutesbury. She is survived by her father, David Ferro, and stepmother, Leanne Every of South Deerfield, and her mother, Margaret Stancer, and stepfather, Jake Graton, of Pelham. She also leaves many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Amanda worked at various places throughout her life. While attending UMass/Amherst, she could be found working the midnight to 6 a.m. waitress shift at McManus Restaurant, as well as driving buses and handivans for PVTA. Her first nursing jobs included two years at Stoneleigh-Burnham School, as well as several local nursing homes including Buckley Extended Care Facility; her professionalism combined with compassion for her elderly patients was noted and appreciated by their family members. In recent summers she worked as a nurse at Camp Calumet, a Lutheran church camp in West Ossipee, N.H., and had also served in this capacity for several children's summer camps, including Camp Kee-wanee in Greenfield. From January 2004 until July 2008, she worked as the school nurse at Hopkins Academy, where she also taught the health classes. Her love of the classroom was realized at Hopkins and this led her to seek certification to teach full-time at the high school level.

Amanda loved books and read voraciously, both fiction and nonfiction. She could make anyone laugh. She will be remembered for her laughter, her caring about people, and her sense of fairness.

Donations may be made in her memory to either Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway St., Greenfield, MA 01301 or Tilton Library, 75 N. Main St., South Deerfield, MA 01373.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wrisley Funeral Home, South Deerfield.

Esther Adamski

SUNDERLAND - Esther C. Adamski, 86, of Sunderland, died Feb. 7, in Charlene Manor Extended Care facility in Greenfield.

She was born in Northampton, July 25, 1922, the daughter of Richard Freeman and Emma Freda (Beckman) Carver.

Esther was educated in Northampton schools, graduated from northampton High School and went to work for New England Tel. and Tel. as a telephone operator until retirement.

She was married to Joseph Adamski May 5, 1955, by the Rev. Joseph Allen in Holy Name of Jesus Church. All of their married life was in Sunderland. Joseph, her husband, predeceased her in 1963.

Esther was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

She is survived by a daughter, Joanna Adamski, of Clinton; nieces and a nephew. She was predeceased by a brother, John Carver.

Donations in her memory may be made to Pat Brody Shelter for Cats, P.O. Box 142, Lunenburg, MA 01462.

Ronald Howe

HADLEY - Ronald Howe, 64, died Jan. 31 in Northampton.

He was born in Westminster, Vt., on May 12, 1944, and had lived in Hadley for several years. He leaves his children, Todd Howe of Buckland, Andrew Howe of Heath, Roseann Howe of Brattleboro, Vt., Michelle Howe of Heath and Leeann Howe of Charlemont. He also leaves three brothers, Randall and Kevin Howe of Montague, and Craig Howe of Charlemont, a sister, Patricia Fleming of Springfield, and 14 grandchildren.

Donations in Ronald's memory may be made to the Calvin Coolidge Nursing and Rehab. Center, 548 Elm St., Northampton, MA 01060. Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St. Westfield is in charge of arrangements.

Joseph Barchenski

WHATELY - Joseph P. Barchenski, 82, of 176 River Road, died Feb. 11 in Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield after a period of failing health.

He was born in Whately March 21, 1926, the son of Charles and Nellie (Rodowich) Barchenski. Joseph was educated in Whately schools and graduated from Smith Vocational High School in Northampton.

Joseph was later married to Elizabeth Popowich in Holy Rosary Church in Hadley on Oct. 21, 1949, and all of their married life was in Whately. Joseph was a self-employed building contractor and an exceptional cabinetmaker.

He and his brother John developed the Elm Circle Development in South Deerfield. He later worked at Hampshire College for 20 years before his retirement. He was a member of the Greenfield Lodge of Elks.

Besides his wife Elizabeth of Whately, he leaves one sister, Helen Gray of Scottsdale, Ariz., and nieces and nephews.

At Mr. Barchenski's request, there are no calling hours and no funeral service planned. Donations in his memory may be made to the Whately Ambulance Fund care of Robert Englehardt, 131 Long Plain Road, Whately, MA. 01373 or to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements under the direction of the Wrisley Funeral Home in South Deerfield.

Lisa Anne Washburn

AMHERST - Lisa Anne Washburn, of 915 N. Pleasant St., died Tuesday, Feb. 10, at her home.

She was born in Ludlow, Jan. 20, 1965. Lisa attended Athol schools and moved to Amherst a number of years ago. She worked at Riverside Industries in Easthampton while living here.

Lisa is survived by her mother, Virginia Rana of Bradenton, Fla., her grandmother, Hazel Lackey, a brother, Henry Rathburn of Gardner, three sisters; Susan Washburn of Amherst, Susan Rathburn of Greenfield, and Terry Iangoli of Tennessee, and several uncles and cousins. Besides her family, Lisa will be greatly missed by her housemates and the loving caregivers at her home.

Obituary and memorial register are available at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Royal Deane Brown

AMHERST - Royal Deane Brown, 76, of 20 Bridge St., Cushman, died Feb. 12, in the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton after a period of failing health.

He was born in Conway Aug. 28, 1932, the son of Fredric and Maude (Hawkins) Brown. Royal was educated in Conway schools and attended high school at Arms Academy. He joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean conflict. He married Dorothy Henderson and they made their home in Conway. She predeceased him in July of 2006. Royal was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. In earlier years he was a drummer for "Bardy's Orchestra."

He is survived by a son, Fredric A. Brown, and his wife Sharon of Conway; two daughters, Ellen and Barbara Brown of West Brattleboro, Vt.; his beloved partner, Florence Morrow, of Amherst and her children, Dale Morrow, Jockey Morrow, and Beatte and Tucker Morrow.

He was predeceased by two sons, James and Daniel Brown; a daughter, Laurie Brown; one brother, Fredric Brown; and one sister, Leonora "Sig" Carpenter. Royal is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Conway Sportsman Club.

Frank Bukoski

HADLEY - Frank J. Bukoski, 92, died Thursday, Feb. 12, at Sunbridge of Hadley, from complications of Alzheimer's.

Born Feb. 7, 1917, in Amherst, he was the son of the late Joseph and Isabelle Bukoski. Frank was a 1935 graduate of Amherst High School. Frank was a decorated Army war hero serving in the 75th Infantry Division during World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received during the Battle of the Bulge.

He graduated in June 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Frank worked as a civil engineer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Works for over 30 years.

He was a licensed professional engineer and registered land surveyor.

His project work included: numerous highways, bridges, and buildings in Western Massachusetts. Frank was an Amherst Town Meeting member for many years and served on the North Fire Station Building Committee. He was a Brother of the Knights of Columbus Amherst Council.

Frank is survived by his wife Alice (Lizek), and their four children: his son, Ronald, and his wife Cynthia, of Sagamore; three daughters, Linda Thompson and her husband, Robert, of Chester, Nancy Dillon and her husband, Thomas, of Swarthmore, Pa., and Jane Archer, of Granby, Conn. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, T.J., Brian and Kevin Dillon and R. Scott and Alex Bukoski. He also leaves a sister, Delia Newton, of Ponce Inlet, Fla., and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Brigid's Church, 122 N. Pleasant St. Amherst, MA. 01002 or Cooley Dickinson Hospital Development Fund, 30 Locust St., Northampton, MA. 01060. Obituary and register are available at www.douglassfuneral.com.